Green Giant has this new product. I forget the name. But anyway. $1.99 at Kroger in the freezer beside steamfresh vegetables.The one I had was 'healthy weight'. It had edamme beans, black beans, and corn in it. I think something else, not sure. But the were yummy.Easy to find I am sure. If I remember the full name I will post it.Anywho-The veggies go in the microwave for like 3 minutes and come out crisp and yummy. Plus lots of protein and fiber.

Also, Morningstars new Southwestern style veggie cakes are delicous. Only like $3, yummy...

Also, in response to missmuffcake's mention of soyrizo, I really liked the taste but the texture drove me nuts (maybe ours was bad or something). It was really mushy and disgusting even though I followed the cooking directions.

You have to fry it up to get the crunch to it. I fry sliced potatoes in earth balance with a lid over the pan for 10-15 minutes, then take the lid off and flip the potatoes and fry for a few more minutes, then add the soyrizo and mix and cook for 10 minutes. It has never been mushy for me, maybe yours was bad!

If one is a vegetarian what would the appeal be of something that looks like/tastes like/smells like meat?

I mean...isn't the point to NOT eat meat...I mean, it it looks/tastes/smells like meat...why not just eat meat?

I know about all the moral issues involved that would cause a person who might like meat not to eat it and thus want a substitute but wouldn't they find something exactly like meat to be just as repulsive...

I might be biased because I used to work for them a long time ago but Dr. Praegers veggie burgers (all varieties) are out of this world yummy, and they don't try to make them taste like meat. My fav is the tex-mex with corn and black beans mixed in I love it with salsa and some cheese on top. Their "burgers" are actually a veggie patty that's packed with all sorts of good for your veggies and the calorie count is low. I also like their potato and broccoli pancakes (not a bit fan of the spinach pancakes but that's cause I don't like cooked spinach)

If one is a vegetarian what would the appeal be of something that looks like/tastes like/smells like meat?

I mean...isn't the point to NOT eat meat...I mean, it it looks/tastes/smells like meat...why not just eat meat?

I know about all the moral issues involved that would cause a person who might like meat not to eat it and thus want a substitute but wouldn't they find something exactly like meat to be just as repulsive...

I'm sorry....just trying to understand

I completely understand what you are saying.Personally, I find that there is a difference between a 'substitute' and 'fo-meat'. If a product tries to hard to imitate meat, it is still disgusting.One reason I believe that a person would eat 'fake meat' is for health reasons. Like someone who is trying to lose weight eatin fake bacon as opposed to the real thing. Personally I just can't eat something that I couldn't kill myself. It disgusts me. So if I can find an alternative that isn't an animal but doesn't always make me stand out, then I am all for it. Like a a bbq or something. My fake burger can just be cooked and nothing more will be said.I hope I have honestly explained my personal opinion clearly.

I'm usually grossed out by faux deli meat, however, there's this company based out here in Seattle that's called Field Roast and you can find their products in some of the area grocery stores. OMG, it's really, really good. It doesn't taste like meat, but still has a nice texture and that nice umami flavor. I like it in the rueben style with some Field Roast slices on rye with sauerkraut, swiss, and thousand island dressing. I don't eat it very often, but when I do...sooooo good.

Um, there's some seitan based jerky called 'Primal Strips' that are tasty. It's my vegetarian version of gas station food...it's great for car trips.

If one is a vegetarian what would the appeal be of something that looks like/tastes like/smells like meat?

I mean...isn't the point to NOT eat meat...I mean, it it looks/tastes/smells like meat...why not just eat meat?

I know about all the moral issues involved that would cause a person who might like meat not to eat it and thus want a substitute but wouldn't they find something exactly like meat to be just as repulsive...

I'm sorry....just trying to understand

Totally valid point (and I think Bela-Kiss explained pretty well). Fake meats and substitutes can be good when you're transitioning. After six months, I still love Quorn chick'n nuggets. But I'm planning on eventually not using that type of thing, or limiting them. And they don't taste exactly like chicken, which might be why I like them: I can tell while eating them that it's not real meat.

As for things like veggie burgers, I don't consider them a fake burger, I consider them their own food outright.

I guess my point is if something is trying really hard to be like meat, it's probably not good (because as you said, the point is to avoid meat). But if it's good on its own, regardless of what it's supposed to mimic, they why not eat it? As long as you don't try to live off chick'n nuggets and veggie burgers or something...

I'm usually grossed out by faux deli meat, however, there's this company based out here in Seattle that's called Field Roast and you can find their products in some of the area grocery stores. OMG, it's really, really good.

I love FR, I have not had it in ages though! I cannot find it around here any more.

As for fake meat, I like texture...I do not like the to real stuff, like Tofurky makes my belly ill. Even if I ate meat chorizo would not be something on my plate!